Prasittisopin, L. (2026) Power plant waste (fly ash, bottom ash, biomass ash) management for promoting circular economy in sustainable construction: Emerging economy context. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 15(3), pp. 1341-1365. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose – This study explores the contributions of fly ash, bottom ash and biomass ash from coal and biomass power plants for enhancing circular economy of construction sectors in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach – This research investigates their applications in construction, emphasizing their role in reducing environmental impact and promoting circular economy principles. Through a qualitative analysis using data from structured interviews with 41 involved stakeholders, the study highlights the economic and environmental benefits of integrating these by-products into business operations. Findings – Currently, the cement and concrete industries can successfully adopt almost 100% fly ash, but logistic optimization is necessary to address the wet fly ash problem. The practical applications of bottom ash pose disposal challenges due to their poor adoption. Biomass ash can be alternatively implemented as a soil amendment and fertilization in the agriculture industry while current growth seems significant with the shift to a clean energy policy. Practical implications – This research underscores the importance of policy support and collaboration between industry stakeholders to maximize the sustainable potential of these by-products in an emerging economy context. Originality/value – The sustainability development goals (SDGs) were well-established in developing economies. Nevertheless, the literature review indicates that there is a lack of understanding regarding their backgrounds, influencing factors, challenges and practical applications for the circular economy.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | biomass ash; bottom ash; by-product;fly ash; power plant |
| Index terms: | power plant, concrete industry, circular economy, emerging economy, influencing factor, clean energy, fly ash, literature review, developing economy, interview, sustainable construction, construction sector, collaboration, methodology, environmental impact, qualitative analysis |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, energy systems, building materials, data collection methods, risk assessment, research design and methodology, infrastructure and transport systems, industry analysis, management, environmental impact, sustainable design, sustainable construction, economic development, research methods |
| Topics: | Construction Materials, Research Practice, International Construction, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here